Last Friday, Manchester United announced the arrival of Christian Eriksen on a free transfer.
The attacking midfielder has signed a three-year deal with the Red Devils and became the club’s second signing of the summer window.
He returned to pitch last January when Brentford signed the 30-year-old on a short-term deal. Thomas Frank’s side were keen to retain Eriksen, but he decided to move to Old Trafford.
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has backed the Denmark international’s decision to join his former club over Brentford and others this summer.
“All due respect to Thomas Frank and Brentford, but Christian Eriksen is ambitious and he has become even more ambitious after his accident,” Schmeichel told Tipsbladet.
“I couldn’t see him taking a chance with Antonio Conte again, nor could I see him staying. And since United have been on the pitch before, the move didn’t surprise me.”
“Christian Eriksen is a class player, and we need them at United. It’s great to get a Dane to the club. That makes it more interesting for me.”
“He must see it as a great opportunity to make an impression on football. It is a big club that needs to be turned around, and if Christian Eriksen can take part in it, it will be a huge thing.”
Eriksen arrives at Manchester United after spells at Ajax, Tottenham Hotspur, Inter Milan and Brentford. He has made over 100 appearances for Denmark.
Despite this, Schmeichel has urged his compatriot to handle pressure of representing the Red Devils.
“Christian Eriksen does not expect greater pressure than other new players. But you do not know what the pressure is at Manchester United until you have tried it,” the former keeper explained.
“The expectation is that you win every time. You have to do your best in every single match. The fans are patient but have a limit and when it is reached it creates a pressure.”
“The pressure is higher when you are not winning at United than it is elsewhere. You have to learn to live with the huge pressure that is on your performance. I have seen several talented footballers come to United without being able to cope with the pressure.”
“But Eriksen should not worry. He has the mental balance he needs. He has already won the most difficult battle in life. I have no doubt that he will be a success. The fans already love him.”
Schmeichel also shared his views on what the former Tottenham star can offer to Erik ten Hag’s side.
“He must create goals. That’s what he can do. Eriksen has a unique way of watching the football game,” the 58-year-old added.
“He can deliver passes the defence cannot handle. In addition, he must be able to hold on to the ball on the final third, because that was a big problem for United last season.”
“His qualities are seriously expressed when he has good players around him. Therefore, I think it would be nice to see him play with Cristiano Ronaldo. There you can talk about two well-developed football brains.”
There have been some suggestions Ten Hag may not use Eriksen regularly in Manchester United’s starting lineup.
On this topic, Schmeichel said: “It’s hard to say. There are many questions to which we lack answers. Is Ronaldo playing? Is Frenkie de Jong coming? I think it is difficult to predict the team right now, but no matter what, Christian Eriksen gets the chance from the start in many matches. There he must prove himself like everyone else.”
“It’s a great feeling to pull a United jersey over your head. He is chosen to represent the dreams of many people. I hope he will enjoy it. He’s good enough and he can handle it. Christian Eriksen will probably become a superstar at United if he delivers what he can.”
